There’s no doubt being a property manager requires patience and commitment. Communicating with tenants and staying on top of repairs takes up a lot of time, but it can also be very rewarding. Like any industry, mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, some of them can end up costing you a significant amount of time and money…. Read more »
How to Prorate Rent and Why it’s Important
If you have a tenant that’s moving out – or in – halfway through the month, chances are they won’t want to pay for a full month’s rent. Nor would it be fair to expect that of them. Instead, it’s best to keep your rent due dates consistent and be considerate to the tenant by… Read more »
How to Lawfully Evict a Tenant Without a Lease
A Step-by-Step Guide for Landlords Without a Lease Evicting a tenant is never easy—especially when there’s no written lease in place. Whether you’re dealing with a former friend, a family member who’s overstayed their welcome, or an inherited tenant, learning how to evict someone from your house requires a clear understanding of local laws, notice… Read more »
How to Prepare Your Property for a New Tenant
If you have an upcoming move-out, it can feel overwhelming to get the property ready for a new tenant. Thankfully, with a little organization, it doesn’t have to be a lengthy process. If you make a list, schedule each task, and start early, many of the steps can be taken care of before your current… Read more »
How to Handle a Tenant Who Won’t Leave After Eviction
Dealing with a tenant not paying rent and won’t leave is one of the most stressful challenges a landlord can face. Whether it’s due to a lease violation, missed payments, or disputes over the eviction process, it’s crucial to know the proper steps to take to resolve the situation legally and efficiently. In this article,… Read more »
What You Need to Know About Squatter’s Rights
Squatter’s rights have become a popular topic over the past few years, especially with the founding of organized rehousing groups like Take Back the Land. Squatters are defined as any person who chooses to live in a property or piece of land that they don’t have a legal right to occupy. Not surprisingly, many property… Read more »
New Laws Every California Landlord or Property Managers Need to Know
California legislators have been busy during the first half of 2019! There have been a number of new bills, acts, and ordinances that have either been passed or are currently pending, many of which have implications for landlords and property managers. Even if you don’t have rental properties in California, it’s important to keep updated… Read more »
Catch Up on the Latest HUD Guidelines for Screening Tenants
As a landlord, screening is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the chances of ending up with a problematic tenant. Tenant screening is relatively straightforward, however, it’s essential to make sure that you’re staying compliant with the guidelines laid out by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when… Read more »
Rising Housing Costs: How Does This Affect Landlords?
Whether you’re an independent landlord or a property manager, it’s essential to stay on top of the current housing market trends. Whether you’re planning to acquire a new property, wish to sell a property, or are doing competitive research on similar units in the area, having a handle on the market will allow you to… Read more »
Changes to How Landlords Can Access Criminal Records
Near the end of May, Cook County in Illinois approved a new change to how and when landlords are allowed to access criminal records while running tenant screening. While landlords are still allowed to inquire about a potential tenant’s criminal history, they are only able to do it as a second step to the screening… Read more »